Hallowell, Maine, hugs the Kennebec River just south of Augusta, the state’s capital city. Once a major port for ice, granite, and lumber, the well-preserved late-19th-century downtown, a National Historic District, entices visitors with independent shops and restaurants.
What to do in Hallowell, Maine
Shop! Water Street is lined with galleries, independent boutiques, specialty shops, and nearly a dozen antiques shops.
Explore downtown Hallowell’s architecture and history via the 19-sign Museum in the Streets tour.
Walk or snowshoe trails lacing two preserves protected by the Kennebec River Land Trust, Vaughan Woods (intersection of Middle St. and Litchfield Rd.) and Jamies Pond Conservation Area (Jamies Pond Rd.) or mosey along the 6.5-mile Kennebec River Rail Trail from Augusta’s Waterfront Park through Hallowell to Gardiner. The nearby Maine State Museum (State House Complex, Augusta) covers everything Maine in permanent and temporary exhibits.
Where to stay in Hallowell, Maine
On a back road, 130-acre Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast Inn and Conference Center is an ultra-green rural respite on a working farm adjacent to an 800-acre wildlife preserve.
Where to eat in Hallowell, Maine
Despite being around for more than 30 years, Slate’s Restaurant and Bakery is always creative and never tiresome. It serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, emphasizing fresh and local and house-made breads, pastas, and desserts. Hit the separate bakery for light fare.
Hungry? Head for Lucky Garden, where the all-you-can-eat buffet buffets earn raves. If you prefer, you can order from the menu.
The 20-ounce pint glass, not politics, helped christen The Liberal Cup, a brewpub serving house-made beers and excellent pub-style fare that goes beyond the usual.
Bolley’s Famous Franks has been drawing fans for more than five decades with its steamed hot dogs, fresh-cut fries, and homemade doughnuts. It also serves other comfort foods; cash only. Our claim to fame is our Bolleys’ famous frank. It fries natural casing hot dogs in peanut oil and serves them on steamed buns accompanied by sautéed onions.
I live in Columbus, Ohio. We used to travel to Maine every summer, but it has been about 7 years since we’ve been there.
The one thing I remember about Hallowell is Hattie’s Lobster Stew.
It is extremely good. Or perhaps it is wicked good.
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